Bag-packing fun, biking and Batten’s

Bag packers out in force at Hucknall Tesco, raising money for Batten disease charity Battle Batten

Students from Holgate Academy joined Sarah and Andrew, the parents of Hucknall twins Freddie and Louie Dawkins who suffer with Batten Disease, at a bag pack on Saturday.

The school team, led by Kayleigh Manning, joined family and friends to pack shoppers’ bags at the Ashgate Tesco store which turned into a ‘fantastic fundraiser’.

“I can’t believe that we managed to raise £1,056 by packing bags from 10am-4pm,” said Sarah. “It was hard work for everybody but I want to thank all the volunteers who helped us and Tesco for letting us hold the event in their store.

“The shoppers were also amazing giving generously and asking about the campaign and about the boys.”

The fundraising continued into Sunday with the successful fun day at Jacksdale Miners’ Welfare organised by Sarah’s cousin, Louise Farmery.

“The weather was a bit hit and miss but it didn’t stop people supporting the event,” added Sarah. “The great thing is that people who are holding events for the campaign are then coming along to other events and helping us further, which is wonderful to see.

“The fun day collected £1,052 and was a great family event as there was something for everyone and the boys enjoyed it too.”

As families enjoyed the fun day, a team of bikers from Ashfield RC were travelling 214 miles to Wales and back for the campaign.

“It was a brilliant day and we all completed the ride,” said one of the riders, Gary Little. “The weather was perfect and we did it in 15 hours and hope to raise about £1,000 when all the money is in.”

It all adds up to over £3,000.

Sarah is delighted: “We continue to be taken aback by people’s generosity and can’t thank the community enough for supporting the campaign.”